Improved Material Management

When cutting long signs or thick materials, improved material management can be achieved by slowing down the 'Pen-up' (referred to as 'tool-up' on the SC) speed and acceleration of the cutter and by cleaning the grit and pressure rollers. The net effect of the slowing of the material movement under the cutting head, will be more accurate tracking, while preventing bunching or puckering of the material under the pressure rollers.  The net effect of cleaning the grit and pressure rollers will be to reduce or eliminate the wandering of the media during the cutting process.

On an XPC, To change pen-up speed and acceleration, scroll the LCD menu to 'pen parameters', then scroll the pen selection to 'Pen-up'.   Increase or decrease the acceleration and speed as necessary.

On an SC, To change tool-up speed and acceleration, go 'off-line', with the tool LED on, press the value '-' key until all tool LEDs are 'off', tool-up is now selected. When tool-up is selected, you will only have access to speed and acceleration settings.  Most people have seen or heard a car spin its tires when it accelerates to quickly so slow the 'tool-up' acceleration down as well as the speed.

Tracking problems can be created by uneven wear of the grit wheels on the platen area.  To minimize the problem and delay service try this cleaning tip.

Periodically clean both the rubber pressure rollers and the grit rollers.  This is best done by clamping a 1/2" wide and 18" long piece of mssking tape between the grit roller and a rubber pressure roller.  Pull the tape back and forth, through the machine from front to back a few times.  This will lift debris out of the grit rollers pores and also pull debris out of the pores of the rubber rollers.  Turn the tape over and continue by placing the sticky side of the tape against the opposite roller and proceed with pulling it back forth as before.

Note:  If you use a brush to loosen up the gum and paper debris, DO NOT use a metal brush.  Small wires will fall into the machine and possibly cause an electrical short which will at the least cause you an unnecessary service repair.  At worst it could cause a fire.

Note:  If you use alcohol at any time in this cleaning process (and we DO NOT recommend that) make sure the power is 'OFF' to the cutter.   "UNPLUG" it from the wall rather than just turning it off with the switch.  Make sure it is 'dry' before plugging the cutter back into the power outlet.